Hired a financial adviser, a lawn care specialist, and a pest control specialist

Had my art stolen multiple times

Learned how to do some very minor design work for my job

Became a notary

Taught myself how to use Microsoft Access

Won an art contest (well, first time as an adult, anyway)

Ran a fan convention panel (accidentally)

Cosigned a loan for a car

Called 911 (twice)

Moved into my own (rented) house

Went to my first coordination meeting at the DOT

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Last year, these were my resolutions, and whether I kept them:

Finish editing Bad Fairy and get it to my agent. Kept it!

Finish writing Ace of Arts. Did not!

Get at least one more short story published. Did not!

Get a great job in 2017. Kept it!

Lose 10 pounds. LOL NOOOOOPE

Have at least one awesome vacation with Meghan. Not really, just a couple visits.

Be more responsive to communication. Hmm . . . No.

My resolutions this year:

Actually finish Ace of Arts.

Be more consistent with Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr.

Lose some weight, for real tho.

Write two new short stories.

Try a new recipe.

Redesign my entire website.

Do cosplay at at least one convention.

Progress with my ukulele.

Continue reading about a book a week.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I think my old high school friend Heather must've had a baby this month, but we're not close anymore and I don't have news. My friend Avi, with whom I really no longer communicate either (sadly), also had a second child with his partner this past summer.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I didn't lose anyone. My beautiful friend Meggie lost her stepdad this year, though.5. What countries did you visit?

I stayed home.

6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?

As always, a three-book deal from a major publisher. ;)

A balance between fun and work that I find satisfying.

A much better diet.

Better video editing software (which means a better computer).

7. What dates from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

January 31: Last day of work at DKS.February 16: Accepted a new job at BES.March 1: Drove a car for the first time in 20 years during a driving lesson.March 6: Started my new job at BES.July 8: Welcome to Night Vale show.August 4 – 6: Metrocon event.

September 10–11: Weathered Hurricane Irma. September 25: Moved into a new three-bedroom house. October 28: Had a big Halloween party.

I also successfully ran a cartoon blog that I grew from less than 100 followers to almost 1400 followers, and I ran it anonymously so people wouldn't start following it just because they know me from somewhere else. I also got my fan content featured 38 times on Steven Universe Amino. Wow.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Again, like last year, my biggest failure is not treating my writing like it's important.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Injured my ankle a little this fall, had a weird several-week bout of dizziness and a bad reaction to drugs, that's about it.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A new ukulele, some great cartoon swag, and Welcome to Night Vale tickets.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Mommy, who has managed to do an awful lot in spite of being sick. She made me some really cute pillows, and at the times she could drive, she helped me get to work and over to my new house while I was moving.

Sister P and brother-in-law Y, for doing such a great job with Ash and P taking the steps to leave her job and find something that fits her better.

Meghan, for soldiering on another year with a sick husband, a mother who needs her help, two kids and a gaggle of pets, and a challenging job, all in the wake of losing her dad.

Jeaux, for helping me a lot during the hurricane and letting me cry on him, and for having the courage to leave his old job and get a new one.

Heather, who went on submission and got a new house this year.

My dad for supporting his parents in such difficult conditions.

My LGBT friends who came out this year, began using self-affirming labels this year, and got gender-affirming surgeries this year.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Upstairs neighbors, whose fuckery made me leave my home this year.

Selfish people who ignored suffering just because it wasn't them.

Racists, homophobes, and transphobes whose violent and bigoted attitudes have led DIRECTLY to life lost and blood spilled.